Whereas smartphones, emails, and instant communication are so easily taken for granted in modern society, letters have been a consistent and important means of communication for centuries. In the nineteenth century there were notable advances in the world of communication but it was expensive and experimental. Electrical telegraphs became a commercial venture in 1837 but it would take some time before it was affordable and developed enough to be of use to the Church.
Below is the transcript of a letter written by Orson Pratt in September 1840. He arrived in Scotland on 8 May 1840 to oversee the work that had started there at the end of 1839. Alexander Wright and Samuel Mulliner had baptised dozens of new members but they needed assistance with organising the work. The letter gives an insight into his relationship with George A. Smith, the recipient, who was a fellow Apostle-missionary, but it also reveals Orson’s frustrations with the work in Scotland. Enjoy!
Edinburgh Sept 24th 1840
Dear Brother
Yours of the 22nd came to hand this morning I was happy to hear from you & think that you have been prospered for I laboured a number of weeks faithfully in this city before I could baptise any one. Indeed I was not as much favored as you for I could not get the Priests out to hear as you have done: and notwithstanding I have been here upwards of 4 months + have held 5 or 6 meetings per week yet I cannot awake the attention of the people so as to get them out to hear only a very few attends the meeting but I keep hammering & pounding away perhaps the stone will break by and by I have baptised only 40 + ordained 2 Priests. I think there is nothing like perseverance in any place. Therefore I hope you will hold on to the Londonites for it is an important station & will give us great advantages over the enemy if you cannot turn the London world upside down perhaps you can weaken its foundations. I shall be at conference on the 6th of Oct. if the Lord will. I shall bring about 2000 pamphlets with me which are now in the press. It contains 24 pages with a cover + the title page reads as follows “An interesting account of several remarkable visions and the late discovery of Ancient American Records which unfold the history of that continent from the earliest ages after the flood to the beginning of the fifth century of the Christian era; with a sketch of the rise, faith + doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” Price 4d. single copy or [inserted] 25 shillings per hundred. X Brother Mullener will be at conference after which he will go immediately home if you wish to send any thing home by him you can send it by him. Do not fail of being at the conference if you can come conveniently as I want to see how you cook for we have been seperated so long that I dont know but we should be strangers almost. I intend to come go return to Edinburgh immediately after conference if the Lord will + I am in hopes yet to prevail in this city. Elder Hedlock will be at conference give my love to Elder Kimball I hope you will not be so backward about writing hereafter as you have now learned the where to direct your letters I now close by subscribing myself your brother in the bonds of the everlasting covenant
O. Pratt